BPIF heads for expanding influence

The printing federation wants to get closer to members of parliament and to others in the print supply chain.

The BPIF is looking at ways it can reach out to creative agencies and designers, following the success of the Visual Media Conference in Leeds. This has grown from an opportunity for Yorkshire printers to meet buyers from the region, into an event that has broad appeal. “Print is moving towards a more targeted communications offering,” says BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold. “ We’re looking carefully at what this means for the BPIF, especially in the creative and design space.“

The federation is shepherding its resources well. There was a tiny drop in revenue last year, but this was expected with the loss of income from the Level 5 NVQ training, after government funding was withdrawn. In contrast Jarrold was able to tell members at the age that member numbers increased last year and expected to continue on the upward path. Having come through the financial crisis and technology change since 2008, “we feel reasonable confident that we can continue to develop and grow membership.”

The question of Brexit loomed with the chief executive telling members not to panic, but to respond to a survey in order to gauge the impact of the referendum decision in order to reflect to government. It raises the concern that the continuing uncertainty would cause investment projects to be delayed and thus hit the industry’s prospects. It is also important, he stressed at the AGM that diversity and openness “that typifies the UK” is supported.

He called for government policies to support investment in equipment and skills for manufacturing, adding during presentation to the APPG: “We want to get across to government that we are a huge industry and a bellwether industry. That we are a good industry to talk to to understand the impact of policies.”

It was satisfying therefore that the meeting of the All Parliamentary Print Group, which followed the age, attracted a greater number of elected MPs than in previous years. Most were in parliament because of the release of the Chilcot Report that day, but also because of the federation’s efforts to match members with their MP.

Jarrold called on the parliamentarians not to ignore the impact of Brexit. “As we move towards a new relationship with Europe, I’m not going to list out all that we’d like to see to support our businesses, but, I know that I’ll speak for our members in asking our representatives here today to recognise the importance of manufacturing, and the role that an investment friendly culture, both skills and equipment investment plays in developing a prosperous UK.

“We need to ensure that we keep an open, business friendly economy, and a culture that welcomes diversity and an outward focus. Help achieve that, and we’ll do the rest

Among these was Kevin Hollinrake MP, whose constituency includes Ryedale Group. “We were pleased he responded to our invitation,” says director James Buffoni. “Following on from the APPG, we plan to develop a line of communication with Kevin so that the priorities and importance of the printing industry are clear.”

“It’s a key thing for us,” says Jarrold. “It’s also about providing something of real value to parliamentarians and that is good for us as well.”

The afternoon was hosted by Stephen Metcalfe MP, who has taken over as chairman. Speeches from Jarrold and Unite industrial officer Louisa Bull were followed by presentations of outspend contribution to the industry to Pinstripe chairman Nigel Lyon; to Melanie Fox of the inaugural Kathy Woodward award for training and Katie Craven, receiving the Victor Watson Trophy as the young person of outstanding achievement.

“The BPIF sees its role in apprenticeship training as a central, core and valuable service, and we hope to see that role continue as the new apprenctice levy and digital apprenticeship is brought in,” Jarrold concluded. Currently there are more than 500 apprenticeships registered with the BPIF.